PLASTIC FANTASTIC! 😁 KYOSHO LAZER SB DIRT CROSS BUILD REVIEW - A new/old mid tier 4WD RC buggy.

Here are my thoughts on the Dirt Cross, a new 4WD mid-tier buggy from Kyosho. Based on the Lazer ZX-5 chassis, this is the second in Kyosho's SB line following on from last year's Ultima SB Dirt Master.
Personal opinion - the SB series clearly seems to target those of us wanting a (relatively) modern chassis design, with retro styling at an affordable price point. In Japan, where Tamiya, Kyosho and Yokomo dominate, the Dirt Cross and Dirt Master occupy the sparsely populated middle ground between budget entries from Tamiya and higher spec kits from Yokomo, Associated, Schumacher etc. The price point puts it in direct competition with Tamiya's TD4. I stress that I'm only including modern chassis designs in this comparison. Sure, they're mostly plastic and based on "older" designs, and would probably struggle to compete against modern high end buggies in a racing environment. If you're on a budget or just wanting a competent 4WD buggy that isn't a re-release, then the Dirt Cross might be for you. 👍
I'd also like to add, given the massive popularity of the G Force Genova, I suspect it is only a matter of time before we see either a Genova 2.0 or a 4WD chassis from them.
My Dirt Cross has inherited the electronics from my Yokomo YZ-4 SF2, a high end buggy that has levels of performance far beyond my own skill level. The YZ-4 is superior is just about every way to this Dirt Cross (bar looks 😉) and yet I'm happy to "retire" my YZ-4 in favor of this Dirt Cross.
For my usage, I suspect the Dirt Cross will be more than enough.
Maybe I'm just getting old. 😅
LINKS:
DIRT MASTER UNBOXING:
• UNBOXING the Kyosho Ul...
DIRT MASTER INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:
• Initial Thoughts on th...
DIRT MASTER REVIEW:
• Kyosho Dirt Master Rev...
DIRT MASTER CINEMATIC RUNNING VIDEO:
• Kyosho Dirt Master Sha...
DIRT CROSS MANUAL:
www.kyosho.com...

[@nemesis8664]

The Fazer MKII is also made 95% of plastic and it is one os the best platforms out there. Kyosho's magic. That Dirt Cross is gonna last you a looot of time without issues.

[@KaiCityRC]

Absolutely! The plastic on my Dirt Master has held up really well too. 👍

[@rcicons4915]

I am a huge zx5 fan owning 6 of them and am glad to see they did the brother car to the dirt master. Rb5 and zx5 were both great rigs in the early 2000’s

[@thesuncoasthobbyist7316]

I always enjoy your videos. It's like sitting having a cuppa and a nice conversation on one of my favorite topics. Thank you for another great video.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you for the kind words. 😊

[@moraimon]

アメリカはバギーと言えば2WDみたいですが、日本では80年代のバギーブームの頃は4WDのほうがどっちかというと盛り上がっていましたので、僕のような復帰組おじさんには4WDのほうがよく突き刺さります。なので、こういうキットはすごく期待していました。

[@poorboysrc]

Great video, David. I'm a huge fan of these buggies, and I love your perspective on them. Kyosho has nailed it with the Dirt Cross release. It's a perfect combination of retro styling, performance, and affordable price point. Well done, sir.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you. In Japan the SB series are doing really well. They have retro looks and relatively high levels of performance for an affordable price. At the moment there aren't too many options if you want something around the ¥30,000 to ¥40,000 range that isn't a re-release.

[@poorboysrc]

@@KaiCityRC I just ordered my Dirt Cross from RC Mart. I can't wait to give it a whirl!

[@KaiCityRC]

Good luck with the build! Look forward to seeing your thoughts on the channel. 👍

[@poorboysrc]

@@KaiCityRC Thanks, brother!

[@David-Benjamin]

Thanks for the in-depth look at the Dirt Cross 👍 I'm actually looking forward to throwing a few options on it, when it arrives. I have a Lazer ZX7 and it looks like the front and rear universals will fit. I have alloy shocks ready for it. The other thing I might get is alloy hingepin holders for some added durability.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for watching! I have a set of triple caps, but decided to try the kit dampers out first. I've been impressed with the stock ones on the Dirt Master. I would definitely like to replace the dog bones and as you mentioned replacing the plastic hinge pin blocks with alloy ones would be a good upgrade.

[@owenbuttle3304]

Lovely looking buggy David. I quite like the pink (hopefully the paint will stay on for a while!). Looking forward to the running video 👍🏻

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks! After recently painting a Fantom in fluorescent pink I discovered I really like the color. Just a shame it tends to have issues. The Fantom body had a similar problem, though not quite as bad.

[@aviano72]

Great video on this buggy Always nice to see your videos

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks 👍

[@madsrcbuggy]

Very nice video again, David! I appreciate you get these kits early on and show to the rest of us. Looks like it'll be great value just like the Dirtmaster, nice quality. It's not one for me right now, but I'm looking forward to watch it on video!

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you

[@jemster38]

I enjoy listening to your thoughts and insights in your reviews, they're very calming. 😊

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks! I always feel like I'm talking at 500 words a minute trying to cram as much info into the shortest video possible! 😅

[@jemster38]

@@KaiCityRC Nah you're fine. :D

[@J1Z06]

I scored two ZX-5’s, a few Optima’s(Turbo and Mid). The ZX-5’s are the smoothest RC vehicles I’ve ever driven. I was at the right place at the right time and picked up 23 RC vehicles for next to nothing. Trying to get them all running. Great video. I’ve always loved My original Optima that I got for Christmas. That’ll be revived soon too.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for watching! 👍

[@AddamsPlayground]

I am looking forward to getting one. Thanks for the overview and tips for the build. It always helps knowing a bit about it and what to watch out for! I look forward to seeing it run and I hope you feel better soon to get out record some footage. Take care David and thanks again for the great overview!

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you Addam. 👍 I'm on the mend, so with any luck by next weekend I'll be all set to run around the park chasing an RC car! 😅🤣

[@Jaysqualityparts]

Cool can’t wait for the running video David.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for watching! Weather permitting I will be heading out next weekend for a filming session. It's been quite a few months since I visited my usual filming locations. 😁

[@Shellbackrc]

Great video! I still have the ZX-5 FS2 SP I'm looking forward to putting the front and rear diff gears from the Dirt Cross in my buggy can't wait to see the run video!

[@Toystheyrenot]

Lovely build and a great colour choice David! Love my Dirt Master and I hope to get the Dirt Cross someday. Thanks for sharing.👍😊

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks 👍

[@samildinach99]

Great video. Many thanks.

[@alantaylor353]

This RC is very tempting.!! 👍 👍

[@tm_vis-rc]

Great reveal. Can’t wait to get mine :) thanks for tips on the parts also! Looking forward to your running video ! Cheers!

[@coygtrc]

Thanks for the review 👍 Still not a fan of the general shape of the body, same with the DirtMaster. I prefer the ZX5 body and RB5 body for 2WD. But that's my opinion. This one isn't for me, not because of that or the chassis, but I'm lucky to have many ZX5 (and RB5) in various iterations 😅 I look forward to see the running video 👍🤝

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for commenting! The ZX-5 body certainly looks great. I miss mine. The Dirt Master seems to be a bit of a marmite car. Some love it. Some hate it. I'm definitely the former. 😁

[@Paul__FC]

I like it. It's like a next level TT02

[@alphawlff]

Thank you for this. I'm eager to get one. And curious to see if a ZX-5 body will fit.

[@KaiCityRC]

I no longer have my ZX-5 to test, but from memory I think the body will fit without modification on the Dirt Cross.

[@lowqualitytech1216]

Yes , the body will fit. Maybe need some velcro but from my experience it seems like all the bodies from the ZX5 series will fit.

[@tm_vis-rc]

Great reveal. Can’t wait to get mine :) thanks for tips on the parts also! Looking forward to your running video ! Cheers! Btw what motor esc you using? :)

[@KaiCityRC]

HOBBYWING XERUN XR10 Justock G3 👍 (minus the cooling fan)

[@tm_vis-rc]

@@KaiCityRC awesome :)

[@alfredyost7972]

I have one of these cars on order. It is still on back order, but I live in California. I do wish it had all of the bearings and metal shocks, but I get why the shocks are not metal in the kit. I do have to admit that Kyosho plastic shocks and Tamiya plastic shocks do work well. The shocks on this car are in the front. I wonder if they will break on the first crash. I guess you will find out as you drive the car. Thoughts?

[@KaiCityRC]

The shocks are pretty robust, even for plastic ones. But like anything, hit them hard enough and they'll likely break. Although, being plastic, they'll be a little cheaper to replace if needed.

[@rogergale3297]

Once they are available in the UK will they have full spares backup....are spares readily available for you? Thankyou

[@KaiCityRC]

To be honest I haven't looked! I know wheels are available now as they're proving popular with people wanting something other than the generic dish wheels. I'm seeing them on all sorts of buggies down at the track. Knowing Kyosho, a full selection spare parts will start to appear soon. 👍

[@rogergale3297]

@@KaiCityRC thanks for the reply....much appreciated

[@bradkalman2353]

How much is it USD?

[@KaiCityRC]

I believe the Dirt Cross will be available outside of Japan. As for the price, I don’t know. Here it can be bought for around ¥35,000 which is a little over $200.

[@bradkalman2353]

Is this coming to the united states?